U.S. imposes new sanctions on Russia, pledges $2 billion in aid to Ukraine

This Friday marked one year since the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine, and the United States announced that it will implement new sanctions against Vladimir Putin's regime as well as give even more military and economic support to Volodymir Zelenski to face the invasion.

As reported by the White House in a statement, Russian financial institutions, officials and other authorities will be sanctioned, " to impose costs on Russia for its aggression" and send a "clear and powerful" message of the support the United States is giving to Ukraine.

"We will sanction additional actors tied to Russia’s defense and technology industry, including those responsible for backfilling Russian stocks of sanctioned items or enabling Russian sanctions evasion," the U.S. government added.

The White House statement reported that sanctions are also being extended to Russia's metal and mining sector, as well as increased export controls involving nearly 90 Russian and non-Russian companies from other countries that have engaged in activities in support of the invasion of Ukraine.

"The President will sign proclamations to raise tariffs on certain Russian products imported to the United States, building on previous efforts to strip Russia of its international trade privileges," the text reads.

More support to Ukraine

The Biden Administration also decided to commit more money to help Ukraine. According to the Pentagon, the U.S. will provide more than $2 billion in ammunition, drones, as well as funds for training, maintenance, support equipment for mine cleanup, secure communications support and electronic warfare detection.

It is worth noting that since the war began one year ago, the United States has already spent more than 32 billion dollars to assist Ukraine in the invasion that has left more than 8,000 civilians dead, 13,000 wounded and some 18 million people in dire need.